| With the onslaught of computer hackers, scammers, | | | | can either visit a store that sells computer software or |
| and viruses that are prevalent around the Internet, it is | | | | download a firewall product through the Internet. Prices |
| important to know how and why you should install a | | | | vary depending on sophistication of the software, but |
| firewall. A firewall is your first line of defense between | | | | there are also plenty of low cost firewalls available, |
| your computer and data that is entering it. Without a | | | | even from the big name companies. Once in hand and |
| firewall, your computer is prone to a dangerous | | | | prior to installing your firewall, you need to take a few |
| attacks that can wipe out your data or steal personal | | | | things into consideration. |
| information that can negatively impact you. | | | | Firewalls can block certain functions that you need, so |
| You first need to determine what kind of firewall you | | | | you must configure it to allow those, such as file and |
| need for your computer. There are many available, | | | | printing sharing. You will normally learn how to do this |
| some from major corporations such as Microsoft. If | | | | during the installation or by using its documentation to |
| you already have a computer that came installed with | | | | change the settings once the firewall is installed. |
| the Microsoft XP or Vista operating system, then | | | | Firewalls tend to stop you from going to certain parts |
| chances are that your firewall is already set up and | | | | of the Internet as well. This can happen if you use a |
| ready to be used. However, you do need to make | | | | local area network or a router, so it is important that |
| sure that it is turned on and working properly. If you do | | | | you are familiar with how you connect. Secured |
| not have one of these later operating systems, then | | | | networks in particular are difficult to access with a |
| you need to purchase your own firewall software. | | | | firewall in place. If you work from home or connect to |
| (Even with Microsoft XP, you may still want to | | | | a company computer, you need to coordinate with the |
| purchase separate firewall software since the XP | | | | IT department in your company before installing a |
| version doesn't get great reviews.) | | | | firewall since they may have specific instructions |
| There are many firewalls products available, including | | | | concerning how to configure its settings so you are still |
| as the most popular - Norton, AVG, and McAfee. You | | | | able to connect to them. |